mojofilter

No worries Marc - I've just laid the keel on my CS and heavy into research.  I've picked out the top six CS builds on MSW to study and like it or not, you're one of them. Like a kid in a candy store...
 
- Tim

Marc - This is outstanding work!  You are a real inspiration.  Your log will be one of my go-to references when I start my CS this fall.  I have the exact same kit, and while I will no doubt have to (and be able to thanks to you) watch out for the kit's pitfalls, I do not have the skill to bash my way to perfection as you have done.
I see it's been a while since you've posted.  I hope you are well and able to continue your fine work.
I do have a question - I see you have rigged your jib and fore staysail with a port wind.  Which side will you display?
Thanks,
- Tim

Marc - This is outstanding work!  You are a real inspiration.  Your log will be one of my go-to references when I start my CS this fall.  I have the exact same kit, and while I will no doubt have to (and be able to thanks to you) watch out for the kit's pitfalls, I do not have the skill to bash my way to perfection as you have done.
I see it's been a while since you've posted.  I hope you are well and able to continue your fine work.
I do have a question - I see you have rigged your jib and fore staysail with a port wind.  Which side will you display?
Thanks,
- Tim

Ed,I have to say,this project is one of the most impressive things I have ever seen.I spent 35 years as a mining geologist working in a very complex mining project at depths some times exceeding 2200 feet.I  have also built a full scale experimental aircraft with a 36 foot wingspan,and have been involved in several others,so I know skill,imagination,and creative thinking when I see it.This work is astounding.There is one thing I would suggest.I have been contemplating that fid.At 6x4x54 inches that is .75 cubic feet of presumably wrought iron which is going to weigh 365 lbs.or thereabout,given a specific gravity of 7.6 - 7.9 for wrought iron.It strikes me that that thing is going to be mean to handle in the narrow,and precarious space at the front end of that top without some way to get a purchase on it to support the weight until it can be slipped through the fid hole in the topmast.How do you suppose those old timers went about it?                Of all the things man has created throughout history,nothing can rival the picture of a clipper ship in Flying Fish weather with all the kites out for sheer beauty in my opinion,for what it's worth.This project gives us a good view of just how they accomplished one of their creations.A grand piece of work!

Young America - extreme clipper 1853
Part 232 – Fore Topmast Crosstrees 3
 
The first picture shows one of the fore topgallant futtock shrouds being lashed to the band below the fore topmast crosstrees. 
 

 
Although they are fitted to the topmast, these shrouds are part of the topgallant shrouds above – hence the somewhat confusing naming.  Each lashing is first tied to the eye, then passed through the eyebolt and eye three times, and then wrapped around itself in the center with a series of clove hitches.  The clove hitches are an effective way to do this on these small lashings – and easier than wrapping a lot of turns while trying to keep the lashing from rotating while still making the turns tight.  The difference is virtually undetectable on these small black lashings.  The next picture shows the four futtock shrouds lashed in place.
 

 
 
With these installed the topmast may be permanently fitted.  The next picture shows the lower end of the installed mast.
 

 
The mast fid is down on the iron plates and a filler piece has been fitted at the forward face to fix the bottom and keep the mast aligned.  Although not strictly necessary, the mast was glued at this point and at the cap.
 
The first piece of rigging to go over the mast is the fish tackle pendant.  This long pendant was used to suspend the triple purchase tackle that was used to lift and handle the anchors.  The pendant is therefore a heavy 8" rope.  It is served around the seized masthead collar.  The lower end has an eye splice with a thimble at its foot
 

 
 The large upper block of the tackle will be hooked through this thimble.  In the picture the pendant is temporarily held taught by some black thread.
 
After the fish tackle, the topmast shrouds are put over the masthead.  In the next picture the shrouds have been placed and held at the foretop with clamps.
 
 

As with the lower shrouds the forward shrouds are fully served.  Serving on the others extends around the mast to just below the futtock shrouds.  The two forward shrouds are a single line that loops over the mast and is seized below the bolsters.  The aft shrouds are single, with a single eye splice served down to the futtock shrouds.  All these collars and eyes are parceled down to the seizings.  The next picture shows a closer view of this.
 

 
Next to go over are the topmast backstays, a pair on each side.  The collars of these are also served and parceled down to the collar seizings.  They are clamped at the channels in the next picture.
 

 
These are large 10½" lines, a looped pair on each side.  The last picture shows the parceling of these before the parceling is "tarred" with black artist's acrylic paint.
 

 
They were removed for this painting after tying the seizings.  With all these lines secured at the top, the next step is to fix them to their deadeyes at the lower ends.
 
 
Ed

Outstanding!!  And from a purely selfish perspective, an invaluable resource for my future builds!!
- Tim

Outstanding!!  And from a purely selfish perspective, an invaluable resource for my future builds!!
- Tim

Outstanding!!  And from a purely selfish perspective, an invaluable resource for my future builds!!
- Tim

Outstanding!!  And from a purely selfish perspective, an invaluable resource for my future builds!!
- Tim

Outstanding!!  And from a purely selfish perspective, an invaluable resource for my future builds!!
- Tim

Since I will be relying on Longridge so much, and his build was 1:48, I made an Excel spreadsheet that converts his dimensions (always fractional) to the 1:78 of the Sergal/Mantua kit.
I'm looking for brass tube for the three lower masts (and bowsprit - same as mizzen) in 3/8 and 11/32 dia.  I used to be pretty good at silver soldering so this could be a clean way to outfit the lower masts.
I really like his idea of the set screw height adjuster at the step of the masts.  Could be the answer to saggy shroud syndrome.
All this fun and I haven't even opened the box yet - well, not much more than that.
 
- Tim
 

Hello all -
Well, it's been long enough since America was finished that mention of setting up the shipyard at the end of the dining room table again did not get me keelhauled by the Admiral.  I like working there but I need a way to move it away when the table is needed for actual dining.  I shall make a new table-top protector, felt on the bottom, that can be picked up from both sides and moved to a small trestle in the den.  My dining table is just wide enough to accommodate her 45" LOA.
 
I've been reviewing the Mantua plans (skimpy, inadequate, and in some places, just plain wrong), the C. Longridge books, the Campbell plans, and most importantly, the many MSW logs here.  It will be a challenge to weave all of this - many times conflicting - information into a decent build.  I will need your help!!
The Campbell plans are a frustration because they are obviously wonderful, however my set is almost, but not entirely, illegible.  They look to be copies of copies of copies . . .  These came from the museum store.  Is there any better source?
 
Following the new build table will be a keel fixture of some sort.  I've seen some interesting approaches here.  Anyone have a favorite for a hull this large?
Also considering balsa(?) blocks between bulkheads, at least at the stem and stern.  Thoughts?
 
- Tim
 
 

Marc - This is outstanding work!  You are a real inspiration.  Your log will be one of my go-to references when I start my CS this fall.  I have the exact same kit, and while I will no doubt have to (and be able to thanks to you) watch out for the kit's pitfalls, I do not have the skill to bash my way to perfection as you have done.
I see it's been a while since you've posted.  I hope you are well and able to continue your fine work.
I do have a question - I see you have rigged your jib and fore staysail with a port wind.  Which side will you display?
Thanks,
- Tim

Hi Hamilton -
Thought I'd post a quick note to say I'm still watching.  Very nice work on both BN and Syren!
My new doctor said "you're right handed" how do you know that? I said.  "All of your scars are on your left hand".  Heal fast my friend.
Fall is coming.  Shipyard to open soon on the end of the dining table.  Cutty Sark awaits.
- Tim

Hi Hamilton -
Thought I'd post a quick note to say I'm still watching.  Very nice work on both BN and Syren!
My new doctor said "you're right handed" how do you know that? I said.  "All of your scars are on your left hand".  Heal fast my friend.
Fall is coming.  Shipyard to open soon on the end of the dining table.  Cutty Sark awaits.
- Tim

Hello Hamilton -
This will be great!  Just found it.  I love Bluenose and some of the other (modern?) schooners.  Looks like you are preceding in your usual, careful, meticulous manner.  I know she will be beautiful.  I will sit back and watch.  Still haven't gotten America out from under the dry-cleaning bag.  Soon, soon.
- Tim

Hi Hamilton - Just found this this morning!  I had no idea you were doing a scratch-build along with America!  So another one I'll be watching.  Judging by your work on America, this will be another fine craft from the Hamilton Shipyards.
 
- Tim

Absolutely magnificent!! I see so much good info on  this site, I have a hard time keeping track of it.  I've started writing the post numbers down.  I shall keep this for my rat lines.
 
-T

Absolutely magnificent!! I see so much good info on  this site, I have a hard time keeping track of it.  I've started writing the post numbers down.  I shall keep this for my rat lines.
 
-T

Absolutely magnificent!! I see so much good info on  this site, I have a hard time keeping track of it.  I've started writing the post numbers down.  I shall keep this for my rat lines.
 
-T

Absolutely magnificent!! I see so much good info on  this site, I have a hard time keeping track of it.  I've started writing the post numbers down.  I shall keep this for my rat lines.
 
-T

Absolutely magnificent!! I see so much good info on  this site, I have a hard time keeping track of it.  I've started writing the post numbers down.  I shall keep this for my rat lines.
 
-T

Absolutely magnificent!! I see so much good info on  this site, I have a hard time keeping track of it.  I've started writing the post numbers down.  I shall keep this for my rat lines.
 
-T

Outstanding sails Peter!
Can't wait to see the ship's boats mounted.  It is my understanding that she crossed the Atlantic with the boats, which were removed for the race.  The Mamoli kit did not show davit mount holes on the deck that I could make out.  Speaking of davits, I think I saw one drawing/painting with an anchor davit in place.
Anyway, can't wait to see the rest of the sails.
 
- Tim

Outstanding sails Peter!
Can't wait to see the ship's boats mounted.  It is my understanding that she crossed the Atlantic with the boats, which were removed for the race.  The Mamoli kit did not show davit mount holes on the deck that I could make out.  Speaking of davits, I think I saw one drawing/painting with an anchor davit in place.
Anyway, can't wait to see the rest of the sails.
 
- Tim